Singapore Management University(SMU) hosts some crucial engagements aiming at increasing collaboration between the educational leaders of Singapore and Indonesia. The gathering brought together representatives of all six autonomous universities in Singapore and five top public universities from Indonesia in a three-day session of deepening ties in education, research, and human capital development.
This platform will lay down the foundation for progressing into educational exchanges and joint research projects and will help further growth and innovation in both countries. In this year's meeting, SMU reaffirmed commitment to meaningful partnerships that address regional challenges and equip the next generation with skills needed for future success.
"Indonesia, with its dynamic and rapidly expanding economy, offers tremendous potential for academic and research collaboration. By partnering closely with Indonesian universities and our fellow Autonomous Universities in Singapore, we aim to deepen knowledge exchange that benefits both countries", said Professor Lily Kong, President of SMU, in her opening remarks.
SMU's ongoing collaboration with Indonesian universities focuses on human capital development through cross-border learning initiatives such as the Youth Mobility Programme (YMP) and the Human Capital Partnership Arrangement. These initiatives facilitate student internships and offer invaluable learning experiences, equipping students with the workforce skills needed for an increasingly globalised world.
The RUN network continues to strengthen SMU's partnerships with top Indonesian universities, such as Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology and Institut Pertanian Bogor. These partnerships foster collaborative research, joint academic programmes, and student exchanges, providing opportunities to address shared regional priorities in fields like innovation, sustainability, and human capital development.
These developments will pave the way for the expansion of Singapore Management University (SMU) in its collaborations with the Human Capital Partnership Arrangement and the RUN network. It will continue to expand its postgraduate programs, joint research projects, and professional continuing education to address regional needs and support growth in ASEAN.
The recent RUN meeting was a very significant step in the strengthening of academic ties between Singapore and Indonesia. Discussions focused on enhancement of the current partnership through identification of new areas of cooperation that align with strategic priorities in both countries. This would enhance the pool of opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, promotion of joint research initiatives, and building up of robust academic networks potentially able to grapple with both regional and global challenges.
"This was a great platform for collaboration between the Singapore universities and their Indonesia counterparts. We should consider expanding the Indonesian university network to include universities based outside of Java Island", said Professor Faiz Syuaid, Director for Research, Technology and Community Service of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and technology Indonesia.
